Bruce Bloedorn

Bloedorn, Bruce Russell

Middleton / Kenosha: Bruce Russell Bloedorn, age 60, passed away Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at Agrace HospiceCare. Bruce Russell Bloedorn was born January, 23, 1958 to Lois Marie (Beaudoin) and John Harvey Bloedorn of Watertown, Wisconsin. He and his three older sisters, Diane, Peggy and Jane attended Watertown Public Schools and the family were members of Christ United Methodist church.

Bruce loved and supported everything "Wisconsin" and he felt privileged to live in an era when Vince Lombardi's Packers dominated the NFL. His sports' idol during this time was quarterback, Bart Starr. Bruce viewed Bart Starr as an excellent role model throughout his life. In recent years, Bruce enjoyed attending the UW-Madison Badger/LSU Tiger football game with his best friend, Bryan and the Badger/Hurricane Orange Bowl game with his son, Noah (both games were Badger wins!).

Bruce was also greatly influenced by various musicians/bands throughout the decades of his life but he was especially drawn to the lyrics and music of Jackson Browne. Many of his songs promote peace and social activism for a better world.

In High School, Bruce worked as a clerk in his parents' clothing store (Kern's) and his Business teacher, Nancy Beck encouraged Bruce to consider teaching as a profession. Bruce earned his Bachelor of Science degree at UW-Whitewater in Business and Marketing. Bruce's teaching career included serving the Elkhorn Area School District and the Kenosha Unified School District for a total of 34 years.

Bruce proudly served as a Union Representative on a multitude of Kenosha Education Association assignments and he loved coaching the Boys' Tennis Teams at Tremper High School and Indian Trail High School and Academy in Kenosha.

While attending graduate level courses at UW-Madison, Bruce's faith was renewed as a member of University United Methodist Church. While there, he participated in the choir and various other committees and met his loving wife, Kay. Bruce and Kay formed lasting friendships with several other members of UUMC and they vowed that once they retired as educators, they would return to the Madison area to be near their closest friends and to live in the city that they felt most at home.

Bruce supported many important causes throughout his lifetime including public school education, worker rights, environmental organizations, progressive political candidates, and peace and justice issues.

Although Bruce battled Pancreatic Cancer for four years, he never allowed it to define him. We are very grateful to the medical staff at Froedtert Hospital and Clinics in Milwaukee, Saint Catherine's (United Hospital System) in Kenosha, the Carbone Cancer Center of UW-Madison Hospital and the Agrace Hospice Program in Fitchburg for their valiant efforts in helping Bruce fight this devastating disease.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Kay and his two beloved children (the center of his world) Brooke Elizabeth and Noah Russell. His siblings are Diane (Roy) Nakayama of HI, Peggy (Bob) Michalski of AZ and Jane Sweeney (John Checki) of Watertown. Bruce's aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, colleagues and students loved and supported him throughout his life and he was extremely grateful for their presence in his life. Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, Lois and John Bloedorn.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 22, 2018 at Asbury United Methodist Church, 6101 University Ave., Madison, WI, 53705, with a meal to follow at Cress Funeral Home (next to Asbury Church). In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to: Asbury United Methodist Church (Madison), Lord of Life Lutheran Church (Kenosha), the Ice Age Trail Alliance (Cross Plains), Agrace Hospice (Fitchburg) & WORT Public Radio Station (Madison). Please share a memory.

Cress Funeral Home
6021 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 238-8406